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The owner of one of London's many 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll always keep it painted pink, even though the in hordes of posturing influencers.

Peter Lee, 80, says his home in Notting Hill, west London is checked out daily by individuals utilizing it as a backdrop for their social networks images.

The great-grandfather has taken a various view to a group of disgruntled locals residing on Lancaster Road, famous for it's colourful homes, simply over a mile away.

They have painted their homes black in the hopes of fending off selfie-loving influencers - who they say are swarming their residential street.

The former designer, who has actually resided in his home for 47 years, said he's seen people doing the splits in front of his steps - and even stabilizing on his railings.

Others - often dressed in just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.

He included that many influencers will invest entire early mornings outside his home - even undergoing clothing modifications.

Mr Lee's doorstep has also drawn in stars from Made In Chelsea and a recent photoshoot from a clothing giant he chose not to name.

Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of one of London's many 'Instagrammable' homes and says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, although the colour attracts crowds of influencers presenting for images

The previous fashion designer, who has actually resided in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen individuals doing the divides in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings

Notting Hill has actually become famed for its picturesque vibrant homes and has actually become an Instagram hotspot

Despite the constant visitors, Mr Lee is determined that he won't alter his home.

He stated: 'I do not truly mind the crowds. I have video cameras so it does amuse me to just see their shenanigans.
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'Recently I looked outdoors and there was somebody having their photo taken - with three others queueing for their turn.

'Another time a company appeared to be having a whole photoshoot. They had a little outfit change tent and whatever. They actually left a bunch of brand brand-new clothing here - tags and all. I set up a sign, stating to knock on my door to collect them.

'But when a couple of weeks passed and nobody pertained to get them, I gave them to my granddaughter.

'It's busiest when it's bright. In early May, when we had all that great weather, there were loads of people.

'I understand it troubles others however it does not truly bother me. I simply believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'

But one instance of an over-confident tourist saw him rack up a costs worth countless pounds.

He stated: 'I have actually had actually the tiles harmed from females in high heels getting on the actions.

'That's a bit irritating - as I needed to pay to have them repaired. But that's been my only problem actually.'

They claim influencers stand best outside their doors to get the perfect shot with some even going through several attire modifications

But he insisted he would never ever stray from the iconic colour: 'It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it belongs to your home. I'm not changing it. It will always be pink.'

Meanwhile, some Notting Hill citizens have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots happening in front of their famous colourful houses and have painted them black in a bid to stop the 'rude' tourists.

Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are continuously overloaded with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties.

They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the perfect shot.

It's claimed that brazen tourists will likewise take pleasure in lunchtime picnics on their doorsteps and often peer through their windows 'forgetting that individuals in fact live there'.

A bicyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently identified screaming, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are regular houses.'

Two houses on the roadway have now dumped their previous brilliant exterior - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will for that reason stop people coming there.

Previously, a purple and pink home sat either side of an already-black house now they have actually joined forces with their neighbour.

A 'quiet zone' indication has actually likewise been installed - and one residential or commercial property further down the street has actually even strung a rope across their front actions.

Fed up Notting Hill have actually dumped their previous bright outside - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop individuals coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

Pictured: How your houses on Lancaster Road searched in 2022

Mike, who resides in a turquoise flat, told Metro the noise from travelers has actually got so bad that he has actually had to move his meditation classes to the back of his home.

He said: 'What is more annoying than anything else is just sound. Tourists operate at a various volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It sounds like a football match.'

Fed-up Notting Hill residents paint their colourful terraced homes black to get rid of influencers

One citizen, who did not wish to be called, stated: 'Our house was actually originally black and the others weren't.

'But the other two chose to join us a couple months back as all of us agree that black homes don't look good on social networks.

'I comprehend why individuals take images - since of how it looks - but it simply gets so packed.

'We can have hundreds of people on the street simultaneously and it's a domestic road - we're not able to cater to travelers.

'I think individuals just forget that individuals live here. So the hope with painting your homes black is that travelers will relax a bit. It's been working a little bit up until now, to be reasonable.'

The resident stated he didn't anticipate the remaining homes on the street to also ditch their vibrant paint but said it may be essential if the problem continues.

Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly overloaded with people taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties

Tourists taking pictures on Lancaster roadway where Notting Hill residents paint famous vibrant houses black in bid to postpone influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'

Notting Hill citizens have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025

A resident in the 3rd black home did not want to talk today explaining that the point of the colour change had been to 'get rid of the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
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He said: 'We undoubtedly desire our neighbours to do whatever they desire, but if this does not work, and we all have to go one colour to get it to stop, then ideally as a street we can join together and do that.'

Another local, who likewise wanted to be anonymous, said: 'My household relocated about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black prior to since they were fed-up with how lots of people stop out front.

'It gets insane. People get on the steps and take loads of images. On the weekends, there can be numerous people.

'It's not Londoners, it's mainly travelers. But it just gets demanding. I understand my moms and dads dislike it.

'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They generally wish to bring in less attention.'

A local in the third black house did not wish to talk today discussing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'get rid of the attention' and 'not draw more individuals here'.

Two tourists who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia.

They said the choice to paint the homes black was 'a downer'.

Two travelers Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia, said the decision to paint your houses black was 'a downer'

Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other vibrant residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same

A letter distributed amongst house owners prompts them to 'think about' repainting to discourage tourists and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

They said: 'I imply people are drawn here due to the fact that of the street being iconic and vibrant, right?

'It's a traveler spot and certainly tourist is great for the local economy. It's a little bit of a downer to paint your homes black. We're not fans of that.

'But to be honest, it probably will not work. If the rest are still vibrant, individuals will come here - and if they all paint their homes black, it will become: 'Let's go see the street of all black houses'.

'It hasn't stopped us.'

Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to follow match.

A letter distributed amongst property owners urges them to 'think about' repainting to dissuade travelers and influencers.

Titled 'Addressing traveler effect on our street', it reads: 'As many of you have seen, our area of the street has ended up being a significantly popular spot for social media travelers, drawn by the dynamic colours of our homes.

'While it's great to see appreciation for our street, the consistent crowds, noise, litter and lack of privacy triggered by individuals sitting on our stairs are starting to take a toll on our every day lives.'

The letter goes on to declare that 'disruptive tourism' has actually suggested homeowners have actually dealt with 'rental difficulties' - and 'estate agents have actually validated it is adversely affecting the price of our residential or commercial properties'.

A 'quiet zone' sign has actually likewise been set up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has even strung a rope throughout their front steps

It continues: 'As a possible solution, three families, nos [redacted] have actually decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to assist lower the visual pull for tourists.

'If more of us think about collectively doing the same, we may be able to bring back some peace and privacy to our neighborhood.'

Meanwhile, other property owners described that they had formerly painted their houses more neutral colours, likewise in the hope of becoming less attractive to travelers and influencers.

George Hencken, who has actually resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, stated: 'Our home utilized to be pink however we painted it grey around 7 years earlier.

'The point was to be an unphotogenic colour.

'But the important things is, and something those who have painted their homes black will quickly discover, is that even if people aren't utilizing their house as an image backdrop - they'll still be here.

'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their entrance, safeguarding outside when it's raining, and even altering attire on their front actions.

'And Instagram and TikTok are having this result all over the world. I understand that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has actually needed to close since of it.

'And over the years I have actually only had one traveler state to me, 'You need to get so fed up with it'.

'With great deals of the others - there's just this sense of arrogance and privilege.'

Ms Hencken explained that what frustrated her most was that none of the travelers or influencers appeared to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.

Homeowners have discovered the most efficient thing is placing a rope in front of his actions. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

Lancaster Road situated simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London

She said: 'This location used to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are pricey homes, but this street likewise has a great deal of social housing.

'They do not understand the history.

'Since Richard Curtis made that stupid movie every American lender or abundant guy from Switzerland who invests a couple of months here, when asked where they want to live, says: 'Oh, my spouse likes that movie'.

'It's changing the area. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We 'd sit out here and chat to good friends and neighbours.

'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random person believes they can come and sit here too.'

Another local, whose home is beige, likewise believed the colour would ward individuals off however discovered the most efficient thing is positioning a rope in front of his steps.

He said: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as some of the more colourful ones - but the most efficient thing is these straps we have now.

'I understand the green house has seen a huge drop since putting theirs there.

'Because it does get outrageous. Before, we had people positioning on our steps - which undoubtedly set my pet dog off.

'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply impolite.

'With Instagrammers, it's constantly the same type of individuals. You can identify them. Great deals of Italians - which I can because I'm Italian.

'When it comes to the travelers, I indicate, it's the people are coming here for pretty photos rather of going somewhere of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'

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